Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 November 2014
Wireless power transfer (WPT) technology using the resonant coupling phenomenon has been widely studied. However, possible relationships between WPT exposure and human health have not been experimentally evaluated. In this study, we developed a new in vitro exposure system to evaluate the biological effects of magnetic resonant coupling WPT. The WPT was carried out using a self-resonant helical coil, which was designed to transfer the power with 85.4% efficiency at a 12.5 MHz resonant frequency. The magnetic field at the positions of the cell culture dishes is approximately twice the reference level for occupational exposure as stated in the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines. The specific absorption rate (SAR) at the positions of the cell culture dishes match the respective reference levels stated in the ICNIRP guidelines. In this paper, the coil design for the magnetic resonant coupling in the in vitro exposure system and characteristics, such as power transfer efficiency, electric field and magnetic field distributions, and SAR of the exposure system, are described.